Smith Brothers are a major supplier of Plumbing and Heating materials. You will find a range of high quality branded products supported by expert assistance at many of our branches. From everyday items to specialist products, Smith Brothers can service all your requirements.
Traditionally houses were all plumbed in the same way: Straight lengths of copper pipe were bent into shape with pipe-bending springs, and then connected together with soldered copper fittings or brass compression fittings.
For a long time nothing changed, but in recent years a new concept has grown up, with increased use of plastic plumbing fittings. Although plastic in plumbing is nothing new, it tended to be used as uPVC waste fittings, where there is no significant water pressure, or in polyethylene supply pipe which is relatively thick walled and inflexible making it unsuitable for indoor use.
That has all changed with the availability of rigid cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipe which is capable of withstanding the high pressure of mains supplied water, while still being flexible. Its availability in lengths of up to 150 metres obviates the need for joints every two or three meters allowing long runs to be made quickly and easily.
To complement the plastic pipe, plastic connectors were introduced which are not only compatible with copper pipe but are push-fit - no tools are required to make the joint and they are easily demountable, some makes by hand, some requiring a release tool. Although building tends to be a conservative industry, plastic fittings and pipework can now be found in new dwellings built by many of the major construction companies.
Plastic plumbing can be used for both hot and cold water supplies, and for central heating systems. There are only four caveats for this type of pipework:
